William Nightingale Makepeace, age 91, of Little Compton passed away on Friday, December 16, 2016 at Sarah Brayton Nursing Care Center. He was the husband of Mary Ann (Thayer) Makepeace.
Mr. Makepeace was born in Providence, son of the late Charles S. and Constance (Nightingale) Makepeace. He attended Classical High School, was a graduate of Providence Country Day School and went on to Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island, NY graduating in 1946. He served as a cadet-midshipman in the Merchant Marines during WWII on a T-2 tanker that made several Atlantic Ocean trips to England carrying a deck load of P-38 and P-39 fighter planes along with a cargo load of high octane gasoline. In 1952, he was called into the U.S. Navy where he served as Engineering Officer and Executive Officer on an LST during the Korean War where he received commendations and medals for his service.
Early on he was employed by Grinnell Company as an engineer and later moved to Corp Brothers, Inc. in Providence where he became Executive Vice President and retired after thirty-five years. He then served as a member and chairman of the Little Compton Board of Assessors for twenty years. He was a member of the Central Congregational Church of Providence and the United Congregational Church in Little Compton, where he served on the Board of Trustees, Development and Stewardship Committees. He was also chairman of the Organ Fund, past chairman of the Finance, Personnel and Building & Grounds Committee.
Mr. Makepeace was active in many clubs and organizations. He was past president of the Narragansett Boat Club, Sakonnet Golf Club and the P.G. Club. He was also a past governor of the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars, a member of the Founders & Patriots and the Sons of the American Revolution. He was also a member of the University Club in Providence, the Newport Reading Room and the Agawam Hunt, where he was a past governor on the board.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his son, Charles T. Makepeace of Little Compton; his grandson, Colin J. Makepeace of Little Compton; his step-son, Robert T. Merriman of Little Compton; two step-grandsons, Geoffrey and Stephen Merriman and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of Frances Gross of East Providence and his twin, the late Charles S. Makepeace Jr.
Arrangements are private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Congregational Church, P.O. Box 506, Little Compton, RI 02837.